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DMT brand aligner OR another type?
- Thread starter MTHall720
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- May 31, 2011
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DMT aligner is just fine, although I think the Magnaguide is just a tad better. Not because of any quality issues, but because it uses the DiaFold plates that you can easily use freehand as well as fixed to the unit.
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- Apr 12, 2009
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If you've already got the DMT 4" hones (and I'm assuming these are the same ones used with the Aligner), I'd just go with the Aligner kit. You'll still need the stone holder/guide rod for those hones anyway, which is part of that kit. Your hones won't be adaptable to another system without it, UNLESS you use your 4" hones like small bench hones. Then, all you'd need is the clamp itself. You'd still need to figure out how best to support and/or elevate those small hones, to make them more user-friendly for bench-honing.
If you're curious about differences in the clamps themselves (Aligner, Lansky, Gatco), one particular thing I like about Lansky's latest-generation clamp is, it's better with small blades, such as those in traditional pocketknives. The Aligner clamp is generally easier to set up on somewhat larger blades, but really doesn't adapt well to small blades, without some shimming or similar rigging. The Gatco clamp has more angle settings than either of those, but also doesn't do as well with smaller blades (doesn't hold them securely, at least with the version I have). This used to be an issue with older versions of Lansky's clamp, but they very wisely improved theirs.
I also tend to prefer the Magna-Guide/Dia-Fold combo with the Aligner clamp. But, since you already have the 4" hones, it may be worth trying a minimal Aligner kit first (save a little $$). You may find it suits your needs just fine.
If you're curious about differences in the clamps themselves (Aligner, Lansky, Gatco), one particular thing I like about Lansky's latest-generation clamp is, it's better with small blades, such as those in traditional pocketknives. The Aligner clamp is generally easier to set up on somewhat larger blades, but really doesn't adapt well to small blades, without some shimming or similar rigging. The Gatco clamp has more angle settings than either of those, but also doesn't do as well with smaller blades (doesn't hold them securely, at least with the version I have). This used to be an issue with older versions of Lansky's clamp, but they very wisely improved theirs.
I also tend to prefer the Magna-Guide/Dia-Fold combo with the Aligner clamp. But, since you already have the 4" hones, it may be worth trying a minimal Aligner kit first (save a little $$). You may find it suits your needs just fine.
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- Sep 21, 2010
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So far I have used the 4 inch coarse and fine DMT freehand (which I will need lots more practice with), then followed with medium and fine rods on the Spyderco Sharpmaker. My only real complaint with the Sharpmaker is I find it to be painfully slow for me. Debating whether or not to some day go for a larger DMT set up and stick with just that. My Sharpmaker, this one that is, is out of the box new.
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- May 31, 2011
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The Sharpmaker does great as long as it doesn't have to remove any significant amount of metal. If it's just putting a microbevel on the edge to finish it up, it works AWESOME. And once you have the edge sharp at a matching angle, it will easily handle touch-ups and general maintenance for a long time.
A good combination is to use the DMTs to set your main bevel just slightly steeper than whichever Sharpmaker angle you want to use, then use the Sharpmaker to maintain it there, since it will be effectively just slightly abrading the microbevel at that point. It'd use it as an excuse to get the MagnaGuide and a Coarse/fine Diafold, myself.
The Diafolds are a lot easier to use freehand as well, since they actually have a way to grip them while you're sharpening. 
A good combination is to use the DMTs to set your main bevel just slightly steeper than whichever Sharpmaker angle you want to use, then use the Sharpmaker to maintain it there, since it will be effectively just slightly abrading the microbevel at that point. It'd use it as an excuse to get the MagnaGuide and a Coarse/fine Diafold, myself.
The Diafolds are a lot easier to use freehand as well, since they actually have a way to grip them while you're sharpening.
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- Apr 12, 2009
- Messages
- 13,534
Another possibility, if you like the Sharpmaker's ease of use (slow grinding aside).
You could use your DMT hones positioned alongside your Sharpmaker rods in the base, which would give you a more aggressive grit option with your Sharpmaker. Wouldn't have to spend any extra money to see if this will work for you. The Dia-Fold hones could also be used in a similar manner, by removing the handles from them. They're held in place by a simple friction-fit pin, which is easy to push out. But, if I were going to upgrade to the Dia-Folds anyway, I'd still give some serious thought to getting the Magna-Guide kit also.
The above could also be done with wet/dry sandpaper, wrapped around your SM rods. Others here have also used aftermarket rods to fit the SM, available in coarser grits.
Yet another possibility, if you're thinking about going to a larger DMT setup, is to purchase one DMT bench stone and an Aligner clamp. You could use that combo for re-bevelling, then refine your edge on the SM.
You could use your DMT hones positioned alongside your Sharpmaker rods in the base, which would give you a more aggressive grit option with your Sharpmaker. Wouldn't have to spend any extra money to see if this will work for you. The Dia-Fold hones could also be used in a similar manner, by removing the handles from them. They're held in place by a simple friction-fit pin, which is easy to push out. But, if I were going to upgrade to the Dia-Folds anyway, I'd still give some serious thought to getting the Magna-Guide kit also.
The above could also be done with wet/dry sandpaper, wrapped around your SM rods. Others here have also used aftermarket rods to fit the SM, available in coarser grits.
Yet another possibility, if you're thinking about going to a larger DMT setup, is to purchase one DMT bench stone and an Aligner clamp. You could use that combo for re-bevelling, then refine your edge on the SM.